Canada’s new policy will require air travelers and those using the country’s interprovincial trains to get the COVID19 vaccine.
This policy takes effect on October 30 but it was first announced in August. Aside from travelers, this policy will also require employers in the transport sector to have a vaccine mandate by October 30. This includes the air, rail, and marine transport sectors in Canada.
Canada’s new policy requiring proof of vaccination will not apply to travelers under 12 years old. Also, Canada will provide a transition period for the unvaccinated. To board, they will need to show a negative molecular test taken within 72 hours. However, the transition period will only last until November 30.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that by winter, “There will only be a few extremely narrow exceptions like a medical condition”. He added, “For the vast majority of people, the rules are very simple to travel: you’ve got to be vaccinated”.
Trudeau described the new policy as “some of the strongest in the world”. Trudeau added that “When it comes to keeping you and your family safe, when it comes to avoiding lockdowns for everyone, this is no time for half measures”.
The new measures aims to increase Canada’s vaccination rate up. As of Wednesday, 72% of Canada’s population is already fully vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US State Department downgraded travel advisories for Canada in August. However, the US land border remains closed for Canadians traveling to the US at least until October 21.
Air Canada released a statement in August supporting Canada’s new policy. Air Canada said that “it is a welcome step forward in the evolving measures to protect the health and safety of airline employees, customers, and all Canadians”.
The US still doesn’t have a vaccine requirement for domestic flights. However, when asked if the US will impose vaccine mandates on domestic flights, White House Response Coordinator Jeff Zients said that the government is “not taking anything off the table”.
For instance, the US now requires federal contractors and employees with more than 100 employees to have a vaccine mandate. This affected major US airlines that have contracts with the US government.
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